Perceção do impacto estético na avaliação de alterações na linha média dentária e presença de diastema interincisivo por leigos, médicos dentistas e alunos de medicina dentária

Abstract

Introduction: The smile aesthetics is vital for the diagnosis and development of the orthodontic treatment plan. A harmonious and balanced smile positively influences individual well-being. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the aesthetic perception among dentists, laypeople and dental students about the presence of maxillary interincisal diastema and maxillary midline deviations. It was also compared the aesthetic perception among dental students, between 4th and 5th curricular years, and from different teaching Universities. Methodology: Digital alterations were made to the interincisal maxillary diastema and maxillary midline deviation. It was evaluated the interference of these parameters with the balance and harmony of a smile considered aesthetically normal, by today's standards. In addition, 7 photographs were arranged in an album for later evaluation by three groups of observers, which consisted of: 100 laypeople, 100 dentists and 100 dental students, where 34 of them were from the Portuguese Catholic University, 33 were from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Coimbra, and 33 were from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Oporto. The classification was performed using a Visual Analogue Scale of 100 mm.Results: In the 2 mm dental midline deviation, dentists were less tolerant than laypeople. In the 4 mm dental midline deviation, both dentists and dental students were less tolerant than laypeople and in the comparison by gender among layople, men were less tolerant than women. In the 6 mm midline deviation, dentist and dental students were less tolerant than laypeople and in the comparison by academic years, the 5th year students were less tolerant than the 4th year students. For the presence of 1 mm interincisal diastema in the comparison by gender among laypeople, men were less tolerant than women and in the comparison between different Universities, students from Viseu were less tolerant then students from Oporto and Coimbra. In the 2 mm interincisal diastema in the comparison among different universities, students from Viseu were less tolerant then students from Coimbra. In the 3 mm interincisal diastema dental students were less tolerant than laypeople and in the comparison by gender among dental students, men were less tolerant than women. Finally, in the comparison of 3 mm interincisal diastema, students from Oporto and Viseu were less tolerant than students from Coimbra. Conclusion: The academic training in the field of dentistry is a requirement that allows observers to detect more easily slight changes that affect the harmony and balance of smile.

Date of Award	2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	José Luís Coelho Sancho (Supervisor)